Who Strikes Gold? Tyus Jones Could Be the Last Big Catch!

The NBA free agency period has been in full swing for several days now. Most notable players have already found new homes, but some, like Tyus Jones, remain unsigned despite their undeniable talent. Jones, who played for the Washington Wizards last season, is one such player. The Wizards had a rough season, finishing with only 15 wins and ranking second to last in the Eastern Conference. However, Jones' individual performance was quite impressive. He played in 66 games, all as a starter, averaging 29.3 minutes, 12.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 7.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting splits were also noteworthy: 48.9% from the field, 41.4% from three-point range, and 80.0% from the free-throw line, with a true shooting percentage of 57.8%—all career highs.

Drafted 24th overall in the first round of the 2015 draft, Jones initially struggled with his shooting. However, over the past three years, he has significantly improved his three-point shooting percentages: 39.0%, 37.1%, and 41.4%, respectively. His three-point attempts per game have also increased from 1.1 to 1.5 and then to 1.6. Beyond his shooting, Jones' playmaking abilities are exceptional. Last season, he averaged 7.3 assists per game, ranking ninth in the league and outperforming primary playmakers like Damian Lillard, Devin Booker, Jalen Brunson, and Jamal Murray.

What's even more remarkable is Jones' ability to control turnovers. He recorded 485 assists and only 66 turnovers for the entire season, which means he had more steals (71) than turnovers. His assist-to-turnover ratio was an astonishing 7.35, a figure that even Chris Paul would envy. This isn't an anomaly for Jones; he has led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio for six consecutive seasons:

• 2018-19: 4.8 assists, 0.7 turnovers, ratio of 6.96
• 2019-20: 4.4 assists, 0.8 turnovers, ratio of 5.18
• 2020-21: 3.7 assists, 0.7 turnovers, ratio of 5.4
• 2021-22: 4.4 assists, 0.6 turnovers, ratio of 7.04
• 2022-23: 5.2 assists, 0.9 turnovers, ratio of 5.64

Given these stats, fans might wonder why a player with such shooting, passing, and ball-handling abilities remains unsigned. The reasons are multifaceted, involving both personal and situational factors.

Firstly, from a personal standpoint, Jones stands at 6'2" and lacks significant physical strength, which affects his ability to finish at the rim and draw fouls. Last season, his shooting percentage at the rim was only 57.9%, and he averaged just 0.6 free throw attempts per game. His scoring relies heavily on three-pointers and floaters near the basket, both of which he executed at career-best levels last season, contributing to his nearly 58% true shooting percentage. However, in the five previous seasons, his true shooting percentage never exceeded 55%, with a low of 49.1% in one season, raising concerns that last season's performance might have been a contract-year fluke.

Jones' physical limitations also make him a defensive liability. Despite his impressive playmaking and shooting, any team aiming for success must consider his defensive shortcomings.

Secondly, from a situational perspective, this year’s free agency market has limited demand for point guards, especially starting ones, which Jones desires. Teams in need of point guard depth, like the Lakers, Clippers, and 76ers, are primarily looking for backups. The Suns might offer him a starting role, but they lack cap space and can only offer a minimum salary, which Jones likely finds unacceptable.

Another possibility is a sign-and-trade deal, but acquiring teams would face hard cap restrictions and need to give up assets, a difficult scenario for contending teams. These factors have contributed to Jones' prolonged free agency status. Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply that he is an undesirable player. On the contrary, in a year with more point guard demand, Jones’ performance last season could easily earn him a full mid-level exception contract.

If Jones is willing to accept a minimum salary, any strong team that signs him would be getting a steal. His situation also highlights a broader trend in the league: the increasing demand for versatility at all positions. Jones' strengths are undeniable, but his glaring weaknesses make it challenging for him to find a fitting role in today’s NBA.

If Jones is unwilling to accept a lower salary, he might end up re-signing with the Wizards. This wouldn’t necessarily mean the Wizards want to keep him long-term, as they are clearly in a rebuilding phase. If he stays, he would likely be in a situation similar to Kyle Kuzma, waiting to be traded for assets.

In conclusion, Tyus Jones remains a valuable player with notable skills in shooting, passing, and ball-handling, but his defensive liabilities and market conditions have made it difficult for him to find a new team. As free agency continues, it will be interesting to see if a team in need of a skilled point guard decides to take a chance on him. For now, whoever signs Jones could end up with one of the best under-the-radar acquisitions of the offseason.